Created in 2020 by the University of Alberta, the Alberta Mentoring Partnership, and the Canadian Mentoring Partnership, the Canadian Centre for Mentoring Research’s objectives are to:
- work with scholars to generate original interdisciplinary research on youth mentoring in Canada;
- raise the profile of Canadian research related to youth mentoring;
- facilitate access to Canadian youth mentoring data for research purposes;
- foster connections and provide exchange opportunities between Canadian academics interested in youth mentoring and related topics;
- work with its founding partners to enhance the knowledge mobilization and impact of research findings and to foster connections between Canadian researchers, practitioners, and policymakers;
- help to mentor the next generation of Canadian scholars by providing research and skills development opportunities for graduate students.
The Canadian Centre for Mentoring Research emerged from the joint efforts of Canadian researchers and mentoring professionals who noted the need for greater connections amongst researchers and between researchers and practitioners.
The researchers and practitioners who spearheaded the creation of the Centre also recognized the need for research that would take into account the specificities of the Canadian context. The Centre is part of a growing international movement to enhance the evidence-based practices of the mentoring field and increase its effectiveness.
Leadership team
Scientific Director, Dr. Christina Rinaldi, University of Alberta
Christina Rinaldi, Ph.D., is a Professor in the College of Social Sciences & Humanities at the University of Alberta and the Scientific Director for the Canadian Center for Mentoring Research. Dr. Rinaldi’s research focuses on the role of key relationships (parents, mentors, peers, teachers) in supporting the healthy development and the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth. Dr. Rinaldi is interested in how parents support successful mentoring experiences, and how mentoring is an important way to foster positive outcomes for youth via high quality relationships with caring adults. A common thread across all of her research has been the drive to enhance youth development and wellbeing through social connection.
Directors of Knowledge Mobilization
- Dr. Véronique Church-Duplessis, Mentor Canada
Advisory Committee
- Tracy Luca-Huger, Mentor Canada
- Dr. Amber Mosewich, University of Alberta
- Dr. Jacqueline Pei, University of Alberta
- Dr. Philip Sevigny, University of Alberta
- Dr. Kate Storey, University of Alberta
Founding Partners
Alberta Mentoring Partnership
Mentor Canada
University of Alberta
Current Funders
Kule Institute for Advanced Study (Kias)
Alberta Mentoring Partnership
Mentor Canada